By Jose Kavi
New Delhi, Dec 6, 2021: The killing of civilians by security forces in the northeastern Indian state of Nagaland has evoked widespread condemnation from student unions, political parties and Church groups.
The incident has led to fresh demand for the repeal of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, or AFSPA, that grants special powers to the Indian Armed Forces to maintain public order in “disturbed areas.”
“It is sad that innocent people are killed by the security personnel who are there to protect them,” bemoans Father Felix Anthony, a human rights activist in Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland’s northern neighboring state.
Allen Brooks, spokesperson of Northeast Peace Forum, narrated the “bizarre” incident where “innocent laborers lost their lives while returning home to Oting village for the weekend from a coal mine in Tiru.”
Their pick-up van was ambushed by the armed forces killing six persons on the spot. Seven locals died later in the ensuing shootout. At least 11 others were wounded and two went missing.
Mon town is about 345 km northeast of Kohima, Nagaland capital. The victims are members of Konyak, one of the major Naga ethnic groups.
The army later stated that one of its soldiers had died during the confrontation and several others were wounded.
“While the Army claims that they had specific intelligence information on the underground movement, they are at crossroads to explain the unfortunate shooting leading to innocent civilians dying,” Brooks said in a message.
The Catholic laymen also pointed out that the incident has sent shock waves across northeastern India and condemnation poured in from all quarters.
“With Christmas just round the corner, this incident has definitely dampened the spirits of everyone as the state moans this terrible loss of human life,” Brooks told Matters India.
Father Anthony, speaking to Matters India December 6, said the latest “brutal incident” has added to “the long list of heinous human rights violations committed by the security forces in the name of AFSPA in North East in general and Nagaland in particular.”
The AFSPA, which many condemn as draconian, was first passed in 1958 to quell the secessionist forces active in the Naga Hills, then part of Assam. It was later extended to other states.
Appealing for peace Nagaland, the Miao diocesan priest wants the incident to become a reason “to make us introspect how the government deals with the people in North East India.”
The Catholic Association of Nagaland, comprising mostly laypeople, said their community was shocked and deeply disturbed by the “inhuman act” committed by the security forces.
“The Catholic community, under the aegis of the Catholic Association of Nagaland, denounced the evil act committed against innocent people,” a statement from the association said. It further said that if any nation or government permits “such evil act” it is “the sin unto death.”
The Council of Baptist Churches in North East India said it was “deeply saddened to hear the death of civilians” in the Mon district. “Our hearts go to the bereaved families in particular to our Konyak brothers and sisters,” says a message signed by Revered Akheto Sema, the council’s general secretary.
Phom Students Conference “vehemently condemned” the killings and held a candlelight service on December 5 to show solidarity to the bereaved families. The students of Phom Naga tribe demanded “a high level enquiry and proper investigation so that justice is under according to the country’s law.
The conference also called for an immediate boycott of the Hornbill Festival held every year December 1-10 in Nagaland. Organized by the Nagaland Tourism and Art and Culture Departments, the festival showcases a mélange of cultural displays under one roof.
The Muslim Council Dimapur too condemned “the inhuman incident” and expressed concern over AFSPA and its misuse. It urged the federal government to rethink about the repeal of the law.
Others who condemned “the brutal killing of innocent people” include Dimapur Gorkha Union, Chakhesang Public Organization, Nagaland Pradesh Congress Committee, Khasi Students Union, Dimapur Naga Students Union, Human Rights Commission India International, and Sumi Hoho.
Sumi and Chakhesang are also major Naga tribes.
Nagaland state is ruled by a coalition of Bharatiya Janata Party and a regional political party.
State Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio appealed for calm and announced an investigation into the event.
“The unfortunate incident leading to killing of civilians at Oting, Mon is highly condemnable,” the chief minister said on Twitter. “Appeal for peace from all sections.”
The government has announced an initial compensation of about 11,000 rupees each for the deceased civilians.
I think that the compensation reported in this report is not correct. What I heard was that it will be 15 lacs with State government bearing 10 lacs and the rest by Central. This tragedy is very unfortunate. There are reports that the soldiers asked the pick up driver to stop. He didn’t.